New Music Reviews (3/23)

Each week, Music Director Chris Sanley and Associate Music Director Alex Ruder share brief insights on new and upcoming releases for KEXP's rotation. These reviews help our DJs decide on what they want to play. See what we added this week below (and on our Charts page), including new releases from Avalon Emerson & the Charm, Girl Scout, Arima Ederra, and more. 

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Avalon Emerson & the Charm - Written into Changes (Dead Oceans)
Avalon Emerson playfully waltzes into a new era with her exceptional sophomore album. Adopting the “Avalon Emerson & the Charm” moniker with this release to honor the many collaborators involved in its creation, Written into Changes is big, bold prismatic pop perfection. Driven by dynamic synths, bouncy bass, pristine production, engrossing arrangements, and anthemic choruses, this no-skips collection celebrates change and evolution while cementing Emerson as an electropop force to be reckoned with. –CS

Girl Scout - Brink (Human Garbage Records/AWAL Recordings Ltd.)
File under: one of the strongest debut albums of the year thus far. Following a string of EPs, Swedish trio Girl Scout arrive fully formed with their first full-length, Brink. These utterly infectious indie rock gems boast bright guitars, memorable melodies, potent percussion, and Emma Jansson’s commanding vocals, as her tender lyricism explores yearning, anxiety, and escapism. At once familiar and completely refreshing, Girl Scout make one hell of a mark with this phenomenal debut. –CS

Arima Ederra - A Rush to Nowhere (Arima’s Lab/RCA)
The sophomore album from LA-based singer-songwriter Arima Ederra is a true stunner. Featuring her tender blend of dreamy, introspective neo-soul and alt-R&B with touches of folk and bedroom pop, A Rush to Nowhere moves in carefully placed, nuanced steps across fifteen gripping tracks. Floating above dynamic arrangements are her breathtaking, ethereal vocals that explore the “complicated relationship to the spiraling nature of time” while welcoming listeners to examine their own as they take the long way home. –CS

Grace Ives - Girlfriend (Capitol/True Panther)
The third album from New York artist Grace Ives is a magnetic display of her sophisticated and synthy indie pop that’s propelled by honest, personable vocals, deceptively complex productions, addictive choruses, and a kaleidoscopic adrenaline rush energy. Grace’s bold pop vision – which seemingly sneaks in an appropriate nod to Björk’s solo debut album opener “Human Behaviour" on “Neither You Nor I” – finds a pair of fitting partners in Girlfriend co-producers John DeBold and Ariel Rechtshaid, who have worked closely with the likes of HAIM, Vampire Weekend, Santigold, Sky Ferreira, Carly Rae Jepsen, Remi Wolf, and Sudan Archives. –AR

Ms Ray - Melt EP (Scenic Route)
The second EP from London-based artist Ms Ray is an immaculate set of dreamy, romantic, arty R&B-pop with a glorious 80s-influenced sheen that’s a “musing on what happens when love takes over every part of you.” Entirely produced by little-known UK musician Ali Raybould, Melt serves up a brilliant showcase for Ms Ray’s crystalline vocals and tender melodies over Ali’s warm synths, mesmerizing chords, and magnetic downtempo beats. Addictive early singles “Signs” and “Miss You” (with Nourished By Time) are both absolute upper echelon songs, and it’s rounded out by a fresh trio of new tracks, closing out with another standout in “You’re Here.” –AR

Son Little - Cityfolk (ANTI-)
Philadelphia-bred singer-songwriter Aaron Earl Livingston, aka Son Little, continues to evolve and refine his sound. Now based outside of Atlanta, he embraced the storied musical history of the South, recording in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Channeling the spirit of ‘60s R&B, Cityfolk showcases his soulful blend of blues, rock, and folk through warm, sumptuous arrangements that highlight his dynamic vocals, effortlessly shifting from velvet-smooth to gritty and raspy. This touching, captivating collection finds Livingston claiming his space, stating, ‘maybe it’s your world, but the universe is mine.” –CS

Special Friend - Clipping (Howlin Banana)
The third album from this Paris-based French/American duo composed of Guillaume Siracusa and Erica Ashleson is an excellent set of smart indie rock with a minimalist, melancholic indie pop bent and touches of shoegaze, slowcore, and noise-pop that consistently delights. Guillaume and Erica’s duelling vocals and their fuzzy, punchy backdrops come together to create a bunch of stellar left-of-the-dial pop nuggets. –AR

underscores - U (Mom+Pop)
The third studio album from San Francisco-born singer, songwriter, and producer April Harper Grey, aka underscores, is an irresistible exploration of hyperpop. With pulsing beats, delicious glitches, frenetic synths, and adventurous production, U is a high-octane, dance-forward display of her brilliance.  –CS

Witch Post - Butterfly EP (Partisan)
The sophomore EP from the duo of Alaska Reid and Dylan Fraser, aka Witch Post, is an atmospheric set of guitar-driven indie rock with a pop sensibility. With Reid and Fraser sharing vocal duties, Butterfly floats through cinematic storytelling with magnetic hooks, ‘90s nostalgia, and a perfect balance of polish and grit. –CS

Alexis Taylor - Paris in the Spring (Night Time Stories)
The sixth solo album from Hot Chip frontman Alexis Taylor is a solid set of sophisticated art-pop and dreamy dance-pop that pairs his distinctive voice with a colorful range of backdrops. The album’s highpoints emerge in its slow-burning, uplifting bookends and a fantastic early opening run, which includes a collaboration with The Avalanches and Étienne de Crécy (“I Can Feel Your Love”) and a bubbling club-pop duet with Lola Kirke (“Out Of Phase”). –AR

Ali & Charif Megarbane - Tirakat (Habibi Funk)
Jakarta-based trio Ali and prolific Lebanese composer and multi-instrumentalist Charif Megarbane (aka Cosmic Analog Ensemble) team up for this stellar collection of timeless, cross-cultural, instrumental-heavy grooves. Ali’s affinity for nostalgic Indonesian psychedelic funk blends brilliantly with Megarbane’s transportive, borderless, Mediterranean-rooted fusion of library music, Afrobeat, hip-hop, jazz and orchestral styles. While their combined instrumental prowess consistently shines bright throughout, “Jamal” and “Frag Men Ted Mea Ning” offer a pair of vocal-heavy cuts. –AR

Amy Gadiaga - BabyGoated EP (Psychic Hotline)
The second EP (and Psychic Hotline debut) from London-based, French-Afropean bassist, vocalist, composer, and self-proclaimed "Jazz Princess" Amy Gadiaga is a super eclectic showcase of her expansive jazz sound inflected with hip-hop, R&B, and global pop styles. The addictive title track leans into a hip-hop-tinted lane with Amy confidently rapping/singing over a vibrant jazzy beat, and BabyGoated presents an impressive jazz vision that’s sweeping, soulful, and adventurous over its robust 13-minute run. –AR

AtticOmatic - Between Two EP (self-released)
The second EP from this young Brighton, UK band co-fronted by Kamran Kaur and Lorcan Forder is another promising set of evocative art-rock, melancholic post-rock, and adventurous dream-pop. –AR

Cashier - The Weight EP (Julia’s War)
Lafayette, LA four-piece Cashier DELIVER on their new EP, The Weight. Featuring pummeling guitars, explosive percussion, and emotive lyricism, these five tracks hit hard and fast without sacrificing melody or gripping hooks, showcasing their compelling blend of indie rock, shoegaze, post-hardcore, and grunge. –CS

Champagne Bubblebath - Mixtape: Volume One (self-released)
Champagne Bubblebath are a Seattle-based instrumental outfit created by Polyrhythmics drummer Grant Schroff and joined here by his Polyrhythmics bandmates Ben Bloom (guitar) and Jason Gray (bass) as well as legendary Seattle guitarist Jimmy James (True Loves, Parlor Greens). In a similar lane as live acts like Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo, The Pro-Teens, and Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, their debut mixtape is a fresh set of effortlessly cool beats that filters a love for golden-era instrumental hip-hop production through their own funky, psychedelic, groovy lens. Nestled alongside their run of original tunes is an absolutely awesome cover of OutKast’s stone-cold classic “Spottieottiedopaliscious.” –AR

ford. - Music Lights Color (ecke)
Following a quietly beautiful run of releases on ODESZA’s Foreign Family imprint, Utah-based electronic producer Luc Bradford (aka ford.) reveals his latest EP on his own newly-launched label and it’s a strong set of expansive, cinematic, textured electronica that sways between chillout room beats and dreamy sunrise dance party rhythms. Opening up with four exploratory instrumental tracks before A Beacon School and Barrie share their vocals on a closing pair of gauzy psych-tinted shoegaze/trip-hop highlights, Music Lights Color taps into a warm, nostalgic, genre-blurring lane that’s reminiscent at times of Boards of Canada, Bonobo, Four Tet, Prefuse 73, and the early output of Caribou and Maribou State. –AR

GUM - Blue Gum Way (p(doom) records)
The seventh full-length album from this solo project of Jay Watson, a member of Australian band Pond and touring member of Tame Impala, is another solid set of expansive, colorful, celestial psych-pop that finds him dialing into a relatively more restrained, atmospheric, and unhurried side of his kaleidoscopic psychedelic prism. –AR

Jerry Paper - BOiNK! EP (Stones Throw)
The new EP from singular singer-songwriter Jerry Paper is another collection of quirky gems. While more subdued than prior releases, BOiNK! still proudly waves the JP freak flag, as these synth-driven art pop treasures, including covers of Brian Eno and OMD, explore connection and the embrace of change following their transition into life as a therapist and parent. –CS

MT Jones - Joy (EMDM Management Limited)
The debut album from Liverpool-based singer-songwriter MT Jones is a seductive collection of hook-laden neo-soul. His ‘60s and ‘70s inspired retro sound features a lively rhythm section as his smooth, buttery vocals explore themes of love, loss, and personal growth. Straddling the line between past and present, it’s all about Joy on this transportive 11-track collection. –CS

Nina Garbus - Secrets of the Fifth Angel (Candlepin)
The sophomore album from Atlanta-based quintet Nina Garbus is delightfully dizzying. With prog-influenced art rock soundscapes featuring angular guitars, syncopated rhythms, and intricate drum patterns, these swirling experimental arrangements pull listeners into an epic, wild ride. –CS

Pipiolas - Pipiolas (Elefant)
The sophomore album from Madrid-based duo Pipiolas, composed of Adriana Ubani and Paula Reyes, is a catchy set of sophisticated synth pop. With infectious melodies and lively arrangements, the pair explore what it means to move beyond being novices as they come into their own and hone their craft. –CS

Red PK - Horse Like Me (self-released)
Known for exemplary guitar and pedal steel work with Free Range, hemlock, Squirrel Flower, Ratboys, and Tobacco City, Chicago-based singer-songwriter Andy “Red” PK steps out solo, delivering an endearing set of wistful folk pop. These tender tunes featuring guitars, pedal steel, banjo, keys, strings, and clarinet, craft rich, emotive soundscapes to get lost in. –CS

The Orielles - Only You Left (Heavenly Recordings)
The fourth studio album from Manchester-based trio The Orielles is a moody, expansive set of post-punk and experimental art rock. With intriguing peaks and valleys, Only You Left boasts intricate guitar work, mesmerizing drones, ethereal vocals, and driving percussion, resulting in a pensive, cinematic collection. –CS